Paint Issue

[Electric Coach]

I have paint from Model Masters. One of the colors that I have in that brand is called Druid Blue. This type of blue appears differently when I apply it to Haiti Repro and Reginald Rutledge figures.

Initially the paint is the color of the Giants blue jersey. When I apply it to Reggie’s figures, it dries as it appeared in the bottle before I applied it. When I apply it to a Haiti style of figure, the paint appears to be darker when it dries.

I believe the differences in the texture of plastic between the styles of figures are the cause of the paint appearing darker on one than on the other.

As a result, I switched to my Liquitex brand of paint. Its blue is called Ultramarine Blue.

I thought this might be a good thread for anyone out there who may have experienced a similar issue.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

[5-13 Studios]

i have painted for a living for many years now. i have used as many different types of paint/substrate combinations as you can probably think of, and i have encountered problems like this one on many different occasions. the only thing that i can attribute to it is a reaction between the oils and reducers in the paint and the different types of plastic/styrene. water-based paints will do the same thing if you paint a non-porous material (plastic, metal, etc.) and a porous material(wood, paper, etc.). liquitex is a very good paint, and it is very stable. i'd say that was a very good choice to go with.

[jeff]

Does priming the figures have make any difference?

[Electric Coach]

These figures were painted without any primer. I will use primer on the next paint experiment.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

[5-13 Studios]

it's worth a shot. priming can solve an issue like that, but there are times when it does nothing to help. if the primer doesn't work, you can also try a surfacer. surfacers lay on top of substrates, they don't get soaked up or have their properties change like primers can with different substrates.

[GUTTMANN]

You may want to wash them first too. I found that some repros are oily right out of the bag.
Mike

[5-13 Studios]

yeah man, that mold release can be a killer!

[artlax]

Definitely wash the figures first. Use a small drop of dish detergent and get the suds up in a good sized bowl.

Place the figure into the "bath" and I like to use a very soft old toothbrush - not too agressively though.

Then give them a thorough rinse. Set aside to air dry or pat with paper towel or even blow dry.

After that I attach the figures to a small piece of cardboard using double sided tape. This allows me to hold and turn the figure without touching it and getting oils from my hand on the figure.

Sometimes I prime the figures and other times I don't.

It sounds like priming would be a very good idea as well as making sure to thoroughly mix and stir your paint and be sure you clean your brush before painting.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Great advice...this will be heading towards the tips section soon.